Fairfax County Weekender

Friday,
Nov. 16: It's a Dee-Light!

Begin the holiday season early with the spectacular display
at Meadowlark's
Winter Walk of Lights. Imagine the beauty of
Meadowlark's renowned gardens transformed into a winter
wonderland, including a flowing stream of softly glowing
lights. Marvel at the two-story animated fountain, stroll
past the Gingerbread Village and explore the beauty of nature
like you've never seen it.Timed admission tickets are
required. Dress for the outdoors! The walking path is .6
miles long. Stay for the animated Lakeside Lights show and
enjoy "light" refreshments. 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30
and 9:15 (through Jan. 6). Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
$13/adults, $8/children ages 8 to 12. Tickets available online. For more
information call 703-255-3631.

Also on Friday:

Jokeslingers Comedy Tour: Live stand up
comedy featuring Alex Moore, a comedic giant who has appeared
on “My Name is Earl,” “MadTV,” and “The View." Also
featuring comedians Brian Kerns, from “Last Comic Standing”
and Adam Dodd, a musical comic who has performed on “Ryan
Seacrest Live,” MTV, and VH1. Due to material, all
patrons must be 18 years old to attend the performance. 8 and
10 p.m. (Also on Saturday.) Workhouse Arts Center.
$20/person. For more information call 703-584-2900.

Saturday,
Nov. 17: Just a Taste

Taste the flavors enjoyed by woodland American Indians in
the 1600s while sitting communally around the fire during American Indian Foods Tasting & Tea. Listen to
stories about local animals and enjoy traditional games. Make
a game to take home. Participants age 4 and above are
welcome. 2 to 3 p.m. Hidden Oaks
Nature Center. $15/person. Register
online. For information call 703-941-1065.

Also on Saturday:

Hot Club of San Francisco: “Cinema Vivant”:
Playful, engaging and so utterly charming that this is their
third time at the Alden, Hot Club of San Francisco recreates
the French Gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli
and the Hot Club de France with original compositions and
renditions of hot jazz classics. HCSF has a traditional Hot
Club instrumentation of guitar, rhythm guitar (replacing
drums), violin and upright bass. HCSF will blend their usual
concert with screenings of short silent films that they will
accompany. Ladislaw Starewicz was a pioneer of stop-action
animation and created films that clearly influenced the
popular animated movies of today. Come enjoy an unusual
evening of elegant jazz manouche and rarely seen
silent shorts. 8 p.m. McLean Community Center’s
Alden Theatre. $25/person. ($18/McLean Community Center
district residents.) For information call 703-790-0123.

Living
History: Featuring reenactors portraying the
17th Mississippi Infantry. There will be infantry drill and
musket firing demonstrations along with portrayal of Civil
War camp life. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bull Run Regional
Park. Free. For information call 703-631-0550.

Family Fun - Thankful, Thoughtful,
Thanksgiving: With Thanksgiving soon upon us,
respect your body with good nutrition. Explore creative
recipes which incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into
your diet. Try a healthy Thanksgiving treat and learn the
story behind the Thanksgiving that we celebrate today.
Participants age 5 and above are welcome. 2 to 3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens. $6/person.
Register
online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Date Night Ballroom: Start the evening with a
dance lesson (cha-cha) and then open dance, food and fun.
Dress is casual. All skill levels are welcome. Enjoy
complimentary refreshments and a cash bar in the Workhouse
Gallery. Dance lesson begin at 7:30 p.m. Open dancing from 8
to 10:30 p.m. Workhouse
Arts Center. $10/person. ($5/mini-lesson.) For
information call 703-584-2900.

Sunday, Nov. 18:
Face the Music

Appalachian Flyer has been picking from D.C. to W.VA since
2007. Join them for a rousing show at the Bluegrass
Barn. Doors open 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor
Center. $12/person in advance, $15/at door. For more
information call 703-437-9101.

Also on Sunday:

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great: In
1972, young adult author Judy Blume penned the story of
10-year-old Sheila Tubman. Still a popular children's novel
40 years later, "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great"
is the story of Sheila's adventures, fears and mishaps at a
summer day camp with her courageous new friend Merle
"Mouse" Ellis. The book's cast of colorful characters
come of age in ArtsPower National Touring Theatre's
musical production. 2 to 3 p.m. McLean Community Center's
Alden Theatre. $15/person. ($10/McLean Community Center
district residents.) For information call 703-790-0123.

Snowflake Stampede: A 2.5-mile fun run or
walk for holiday enthusiasts of all ages. Enjoy a special
preview of the Festival of Lights on foot, and take a picture
with your favorite display. All participants will receive a
free t-shirt. Strollers and pets on a leash are welcome.
Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a coupon for $5
off your next visit to the Bull Run
Festival of Lights. Event is limited to the first 500
registrants. Check in at 4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. start.) Bull
Run Regional Park. $15/adults, $10/children 12 and
under, free/ages 2 and under. To register (required) or for
more information call 703-352-5900.

Information was correct at time of publication.
Please contact individual event sites to confirm
programs are being held as scheduled.

The Fairfax County Weekender highlights a selection of
county events taking place each weekend. Many more events
and activities can be found at the Parks and Library pages, and elsewhere on the
Fairfax County website. Additionally, the
towns of Herndon
and Vienna as well
as the city of Falls Church offer
many arts, entertainment and recreational
opportunities.